Begich requests pipeline hearing

Begich wants a hearing in March or April to discuss the importance of the pipeline to domestic energy production. He says the committee needs to examine the pipeline’s future, and the affect of less oil moving through the line because of decreased production on the North Slope. The Alaska Democrat also wants to look at the impact of fewer funds for maintenance and operations.

Begich met Monday with Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. President Tom Barrett and was briefed on the recent shutdown of the pipeline because of a leak discovered Jan. 8.